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Araweelo News Network – Associated Online Agencies

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Washington (ANN) – A renewed debate over U.S. military assistance to Israel has intensified after Representative Thomas Massie introduced an amendment in the House of Representatives seeking to end the $3.3 billion in annual U.S. military aid to Israel.
The proposal has received strong backing from Senator Bernie Sanders, who argued that Congress should prioritize domestic needs over continued military assistance to Israel.
In a statement, Sanders said Israel had the right to defend itself following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which killed around 1,200 people, but asserted that Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza had gone beyond legitimate self-defense.
Sanders accused the Israeli government of causing widespread civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza, citing figures that more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed and 173,000 wounded, while much of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure—including schools, hospitals, water systems, and homes—has been devastated. He also condemned Israeli actions in the West Bank and described them as violations of international law.
The senator further criticized Israel’s military actions against Iran and Lebanon, claiming they had expanded regional instability and prolonged conflict across the Middle East.
According to Sanders, public opinion in the United States is shifting. He cited polling that he said shows a growing number of Americans—including a large majority of Democratic voters and a significant share of Republican voters—oppose unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel.
Sanders also highlighted that 40 of 47 Senate Democrats supported his legislation earlier this year seeking to block certain arms sales to the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He concluded by arguing that Congress should focus on pressing domestic challenges, including housing, healthcare, childcare, and the rising cost of living, rather than continuing military support for Israel.
Note: The figures and legal characterizations in this statement reflect the views expressed by Senator Bernie Sanders and remain matters of political debate. Israel has consistently rejected accusations that it has committed genocide and maintains that its military operations are aimed at Hamas while asserting efforts to minimize civilian casualties.
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